Dispensing container



y .1942. J. K. LIVINGSTON DISPENSING CONTAINER Filed Dec. 19, 1940 "H! II HI J 1i; Litir yazan INVENTOR. 2

ATTORNEYS.

Patented May 25, 1942 if? i UNETED" STATES PATENT OFFICE DISPENSING CONTAINER- Jay Kelly Livingston, Houston, Tex.

Application December 19, 1940, Serial No. 370,892

1 Claim.

The article forming the subject matter of this application is a paste dispenser of the tube and piston type, embodying an actuator for the piston. The article may be used to dispense any material which it is capable of handling, the word paste being employed merely in the interest of simplicity and directness. The object of the invention is to supply novel signal means for advising the operator that the container is nearly empty.

It is within the province-of the disclosure to improve generally and to enhance the utility of devices of that type to which the present invention appertains.

With the above and other objects in view; which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein disclosed, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing:

Fig. 1 shows in side elevation, a device constructed in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section wherein the piston is shown advanced somewhat, parts remaining in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section showing the piston advanced until the signal sleeve has emerged from the outlet of the container, parts remaining in elevation;

Fig. 4 is a cross section looking downwardly toward the piston;

Fig. 5 is a cross section showing a modification.

The numeral I marks a tube or container, made of any preferred material. The container I is rigid, and is not of the collapsible sort. In Fig. 4 the container I is shown as a cylinder, but it might be of any other cross section, as

indicated in connection with the container Ib.

of Fig. 5. The container I has an upper end wall 2, carrying an outlet in the form of a reduced spout 3, whereon a cap 4 is threaded or removably held otherwise.

The numeral 5 designates an operating member of cup-shape, having an upstanding annular flange 6 receiving the lower part of the container I. The numeral 9 designates a piston actuator, such as a feed screw, having its lower end secured in the operating member 5 in any appropriate manner.

A piston P is provided, and includes a body I2 mounted in the container I, to move longitudinally thereof, the body having a central hub I4, through which the screw 9 is threaded. A washer I5, made of paper, Cellophane or the like, is disposed on the body I2 and embraces the hub I4 closely. The washer I5 has a downturned marginal flange I6, of annular form, making a tight fit between the periphery of the piston body I2 and the inner surface of the container I.

The flange IIi'exercises two functions. to prevent downward leakage of the paste I1 around the periphery of the piston body I2. Another function of the flange I 6 is to aid in preventing the piston 'P from rotating with the screw 9, it being necessary to limit or prevent the rotation of the piston in order that it may move upwardly and eject the paste II through the outlet spout 3. If the container is of polygonal cross section, as shown at Ib-in Fig. 5, the piston parts I2 and I5 are shaped accordingly, and the piston then is held positively against rotation.

As another means for preventing the piston P from rotating, its body may have upstandin projections I8, interfitting with corresponding projections I9 on the washer I5, the projections One is I9 engaging the mass of paste I! in the tube I.

The projections I8 and I9 are shown in Fig, 4 as being arranged in the form of a cross, but

that specific construction is not insisted upon.

The numeral 20 designates a cylindrical signal sleeve 10f distinctive color, for example, a bright red, the sleeve being made of a good grade of stiff paper or similar material. The sleeve 2!] surrounds the feed screw 9 and rests on the hub I4 of the piston body I2.

By means of the operating member 5, the screw 9 is rotated, and the piston P is advanced, the past I! being ejected out of the outlet spout 3.

When the paste I1 is depleted to a degree in which a, new tube soon will be in order, the signal sleeve 20 emerges from the outlet spout3, as shown in Fig. 3. The operator thus is notified that the paste is about gone, and governs himself accordingly, as to providingv a new supply. When the signal sleeve 20 is in the protruding position of Fig. 3, it is removed and is thrown away.

As the sleeve 20 rises to the position of Fig. 3, it is filled automatically with the paste IT. This circumstance, together with the further fact that the sleeve is made of somewhat stiff material, prevents the sleeve from collapsing and balling up in the spout 3. Figure 3 shows that the external diameter of the sleeve 20 is somewhat less than the internal diameter of the spout 3. Therefore, as the sleeve 20 advances into the position of Fig. 3, the sleeve will'not act as a closure for the spout 3, preventing the discharge of the paste that still remains above the piston P.

The device forming the subject matter of this application may be made cheaply. It has an uninterrupted and undistorted external surface, suitable for advertising The article does not present the unsightly appearance of a distorted and partially collapsed flexible tube.

Almost any sort of metal may be used and the emerge at times through the outlet, the sleeve being removably mounted on the actuator and having detachable abutment against the piston,

' the actuator being prolonged to a place closely use of paper, plastic, wood, glass and (S0 forth, is. 15

within the purview of the invention.

adjacent to the outlet, to guide the sleeve to the outlet when the paste nears depletion.

J A Y KELLY LIVINGSTON. 

